MERTHYR Town are aiming to hit the half century mark when they travel to play Western League Premier Division leaders Bitton in Gloucestershire tomorrow (3pm).

MERTHYR Town are aiming to hit the half century mark when they travel to play Western League Premier Division leaders Bitton in Gloucestershire tomorrow (3pm).

The Martyrs, who have fired 49 league goals so far, are fifth in the league and will go third with a win against Bitton, jumping above Larkhall Athletic, who are on FA Trophy duty against Herne Bay, and Bishop Sutton, who are without a match.

This is a crunch clash for Merthyr, who, along with Hallen, are one of only two clubs who have applied for promotion to the Southern League football.

They must finish champions or runners-up to keep promotion hopes alive.

Merthyr Town have already played Bitton three times this season – and the Welsh club have won two of them.

The teams drew 2-2 at Penydarren Park before Merthyr won the replay 2-1 in the match which saw midfield player Tareq Khalil suffer ankle and leg injuries which ruled him out for the rest of this season.

In the league encounter at Penydarren Park in September the Martyrs came through to win 2-0.

Bitton manager Richard Fey has built a useful squad since taking over in March 2010 after impressing at rivals Cadbury Heath.

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